Train to Be a Superhero Stuntman

Get Ready for the Action

Get Ready for the Action

Stuntman Bobby
Holland Hanton has stepped in for James Bond, Thor, and Batman, but he’s unsure
who would win in a fight. “Bond has a gun, so there’s an advantage there.”

No matter the role, Bobby must stay in shape to take super risks.
He took time out from his latest film, the Wachowski Brothers’ “Jupiter
Ascending,” to share how he stays healthy for the action-packed scenes.

Start The Day Off Right

Start The Day Off Right

If you want to have the physique of Thor, you better eat
like a god. Bobby eats within 30 minutes of waking and includes some serious
protein like grilled turkey or chicken breast. Along with some bird, he adds in
avocado, raw nuts, and spinach. Later in the day, he’ll get some smart nutrition
from quinoa and avoid white carbs.

“Some people say you’re not supposed to have carbs, but I’ll
have them all day,” he said. “But I’ll make good decisions.”

Choose the Right Liquids

Choose the Right Liquids

Chances are you’ve heard you should drink more water and you
probably still aren’t getting enough. If you plan on defending the city at
night and still keeping your day job, you’re going to need to stay
hydrated.

Bobby says drinking water throughout the day keeps his body
in shape and green tea is his preferred beverage when waking up.

Choose Your Boost Wisely

Choose Your Boost Wisely

Don’t believe the energy drink marketing—real super heroes
are smart with their energy. Instead of slamming sugar-laden drinks, go for
something where you can pronounce the ingredients.

Besides green tea, Bobby may down a shot of espresso about a
half-hour before his workout for the proper boost.

Avoid Gym Ratting

Avoid Gym Ratting

Bobby uses circuit
training—short bouts of fast-paced exercises that use his own body weight—
and fast-paced cardio on the treadmill to build lean muscle that moves easier
during super stunts. He says this allows him to get a workout in and still have
time for other things in life.

“You don’t have to be in the gym for hours,” he said.

Stay Driven

Stay Driven

Bobby said the hardest thing he’s done so far is trying to
put on size and stay lean to match Chris Hemsworth’s physique in Thor. It
involved training twice a day for nine months. “That was up to me though,” he
said. “I could have not put in the work and lost the role.”

“Try to achieve change for the better. It’s always best to
give it a go,” he said. “When you see the results, that’s when you need to keep
going.”

Trust in Your Team

Trust in Your Team

Batman’s part of the Justice League and Thor has the rest of
The Avengers, proving that no matter how strong you are individually, you
always need backup.

Bobby has to put great trust in his team when doing a stunt
and has been working with the same people for years. He says trust and
discipline make his team successful and he’s not about to change anything. “If
you’ve got a good team, why change the format?”

Change It Up

Change It Up

While sticking to a routine is key in safety on
set, Bobby says changing the kinds of roles he has keep things interesting. For
those trying to follow in his stuntman footsteps, he recommends trying
different things—like changing workouts—and let the small changes give you the
inspirational boost you need.

“Every job I do is never going to be the same for me,” he
said. “It’s never going to be boring.”

Don’t Neglect Your Hair and Skin

Don’t Neglect Your Hair and Skin

Running into burning buildings and getting punched in the
face can do some damage, so as long as you're taking care of your
body, you shouldn’t neglect your looks. Especially if you’re going to be on
camera.

For Bobby, clasping all those wigs to his head can do a
number on his hair, so he recommends the Dove Men+Care line of products to keep his hair
strong and his skin ready for extra takes.

Start Your Superhero Training Today

Start Your Superhero Training Today

While Bobby spent years getting in shape—including years of
gymnastics and professional soccer—that doesn’t mean you can make better
choices to be ready to take down whatever super villain you face daily.

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